Philosophy · History · Philosophy, history
A Short History of Philosophy by Robert C. Solomon — Summary, Key Ideas & Quotes
1996329 pages✦ 3-min Big ideas
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What is A Short History of Philosophy about?
Philosophy is a singularly expansive enterprise, a fascinating outgrowth of a human nature that demands we question who and why we are. In A Short History of Philosophy, the most accessible concise portrait of philosophy in seventy years, Robert Solomon and Kathleen Higgins meet the challenge of accurately and engagingly describing it all, reveling in philosophy as "the art of wonder," the search for meaning, a gripping, dramatic endeavor.
With a clear, witty style and a flair for making complex ideas accessible, the authors also convincingly demonstrate the relevance of philosophy to our times, emphasizing the legacy of the revolutions wrought by science, industry, colonialism, and sectarian warfare, and the philosophical responses to the traumas of the twentieth century (including two world wars and the Holocaust): existentialism, positivism, postmodernism, feminism, and multiculturalism among them.
But Solomon and Higgins go beyond merely retelling the rich history of philosophy; the authors provide their own twists and interpretations of events, resulting in a story that reveals the continuing complexity and diversity of a richly textured and nuanced intellectual tradition. All who are "lovers of wisdom" will find much to reward them in this book.
A glimpse inside
Philosophy as the Art of Wonder
Solomon and Higgins frame philosophy not as a dry academic pursuit but as an ongoing adventure in questioning and wonder. They emphasize that philosophy arises from our innate curiosity about existence, meaning, and values. By highlighting the dramatic, sometimes passionate nature of philosophical inquiry, the authors encourage readers to see philosophy as a living tradition that engages with the deepest aspects of human experience.
Historical Context Shapes Ideas
The book insists that philosophical ideas cannot be separated from the times and cultures that produced them. Solomon and Higgins show how revolutions in science, politics, and society—from the Enlightenment to the traumas of the twentieth century—have spurred new philosophical movements and responses. This contextual approach helps readers appreciate philosophy as both a product and a critic of its era.
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Get smart in 3 min
6 key ideas, distilled
- 1Philosophy as the Art of Wonder
- 2Historical Context Shapes Ideas
- 3The Evolution of Core Questions
- 4Diversity and Complexity in Philosophical Traditions
- 5Philosophy’s Relevance to Modern Life
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Philosophy is a singularly expansive enterprise, a fascinating outgrowth of a human nature that demands we question who and why we are. In A Short History of Philosophy, the most accessible concise portrait of philosophy in seventy years, Robert Solomon and Kathleen Higgins meet the challenge of accurately and engagingly describing it all, reveling in philosophy as "the art of wonder," the search